EP0546805B1 - Dispositif de communication des signaux électriques dans un puits - Google Patents

Dispositif de communication des signaux électriques dans un puits Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0546805B1
EP0546805B1 EP92311186A EP92311186A EP0546805B1 EP 0546805 B1 EP0546805 B1 EP 0546805B1 EP 92311186 A EP92311186 A EP 92311186A EP 92311186 A EP92311186 A EP 92311186A EP 0546805 B1 EP0546805 B1 EP 0546805B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electric
coil
well
wireline
tool
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92311186A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0546805A1 (fr
Inventor
Neal G. Skinner
Robert A. Moore
Gregory A. Kliewer
Roger L. Schultz
Harold Kent Beck
Kevin R. Manke
Paul D. Ringgenberg
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Halliburton Co
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Halliburton Co
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Publication date
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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/003—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings with electrically conducting or insulating means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/02—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/12—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
    • E21B47/13—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/33—Contact members made of resilient wire
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to apparatus for communicating electrical signals, such as power and data signals, in a well. This particularly includes electrically coupling two circuits in the well so that electrical signals can be communicated from one circuit to the other.
  • US-A-4,790,380 discloses apparatus for communicating electrical signals in a well, which apparatus comprises a first electric coil adapted to be moved in the well; a second electric coil adapted to be fixed in the well relative to movement of said first electric coil in the well; current conducting means for having an electric current induced therein in response to an electric current in a selected one of said first and second electric coils, and for inducing an electric current in the other of said first and second electric coils in response to the electric current induced in said current conducting means, said current conducting means including: a first electrically conductive path linked with said first electric coil; a second electrically conductive path linked with said second electric coil wherein said electrically conductive paths are provided by discrete electric current conductors; and means for connecting said first and second paths in the well so that a discrete electric current conductive loop links said first and second electric coils.
  • the apparatus of the present invention is characterised in that said connecting means comprises electric pins adapted to contact receiver connections.
  • the apparatus further comprises a landing receptacle having the second electric coil mounted thereon, the landing receptacle having an axial opening; and a wireline tool having the first electric coil mounted thereon, the wireline tool including means for connecting the first electric coil to a wireline, and the wireline tool adapted to be moved on the wireline within the axial opening of the landing receptacle.
  • the apparatus of the present invention may be operated by establishing, across an intervening space in the well between the two electric coils, a current conductive path having a resistance sufficiently low that the current conductive path is not effectively short-circuited by fluid in the intervening space crossed by the current conductive path.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic and block diagram of one embodiment of a coupling apparatus within a data communicating apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic and block diagram of a data communicating apparatus, with coupling apparatus, of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 3A-3G show an elevational sectional view of a wireline tool of a particular implementation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 4A-4E show an elevational sectional view of a landing receptacle portion of a downhole tool of a particular implementation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
  • an “electric” element includes one that can conduct electric current.
  • “Wire” refers to a relatively small, discrete electric current conductor of any suitable cross-sectional shape as distinguished from a conductive mass such as a tool body used in a well.
  • an electric coupling 2 of the present invention is schematically represented within the block representation of a particular apparatus 4 for communicating data in a well 6.
  • the apparatus 4 includes a cylindrical wireline tool 8 and an annular downhole tool 10.
  • the electric coupling 2 is used to couple two electric circuits.
  • one circuit is in the wireline tool 8 and one circuit is in the downhole tool 10 so that coupling occurs across an intervening space 12 between the tools.
  • the space 12 can contain electrically conductive wellbore fluid (e.g., salt water). Particular circuits will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG 2.
  • the electric coupling 2 has a portion mounted on the downhole tool 10 and a portion mounted on the wireline tool 8.
  • the portion on the downhole tool 10 includes two electric members 14, 16 connected to the circuit in the tool 10 but disposed in a sealing member 18 (FIG. 1) or respective sealing members 18a, 18b (FIG. 4C).
  • each member 14, 16 is made of a wire mesh screen.
  • the screen is made of 0.0045'' (0.114mm) diameter copper wire, three-strand, R98, 4'' (10.2cm) wide manufactured by Metex Corporation of Edison, New Jersey.
  • the sealing member or members fluid tightly seal the respective screens within a self-sealing membrane or membranes that can be penetrated by the portion of the electric coupling 2 mounted on the wireline tool 8.
  • the membrane seals around the penetrating element, and it seals itself if the penetrating element is removed.
  • the seal(s) 18 is (are) made of compound S-124 manufactured by LTV Energy Division - Oil States Industries, Lampasses, Texas.
  • the portion of the electric coupling 2 on the wireline tool 8 includes means, connected to the circuit in the tool 8, for penetrating the sealing member or members 18 and electrically contacting the two electric members 14, 16.
  • This penetrating and contacting means includes two electric contacts 20, 22.
  • the contacts 20, 22 are slender enough and pointed enough to pierce the sealing member 18 or the respective sealing members 18a, 18b.
  • Such type of contacts can be referred to as electric pins. In a particular implementation, these are made of gold-plated, hardened beryllium copper. When appropriately moved, as explained hereinbelow, each such pin pierces the adjacent sealing member and wire mesh screen to make direct mechanical and electrical contact with the respective screen as illustrated in FIG. 1. Portions of the contacts 20, 22 making this connection cross the space 12 and are exposed to whatever is in the space 12.
  • FIG. 1 embodiment shows both contacts 20, 22 connected to the electric circuit of the wireline tool 8 and both contact receivers 14, 16 connected to the electric circuit of the downhole tool 10, the specific association between a contact or a receiver and a particular circuit can be varied in the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • a contact and a receiver could be associated with one circuit and the respective mating receiver and contact associated with the other circuit.
  • circuits themselves may be of any desired type.
  • the circuits include toroidal core and coil subassemblies linked by a wire loop connected by the previously described electric coupling; however, it is contemplated that the circuits can be directly connected in a continuous current path via the electric coupling. The latter is not preferred because it is contemplated that directly connected circuits may present too much input resistance or impedance to the respective circuits; in which case if short-circuiting occurs across the contacts 20, 22 due to fluid in the space 12 (or otherwise), the operation of the circuits may be adversely affected.
  • the wire loop is electrically insulated from the main structural bodies of the wireline tool 8 and the downhole tool 10, and it has a resistance of less than about 1 ohm and more preferably less than about 0.15 ohm.
  • FIG. 2 The preferred current loop type of circuit is illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the ends of a single wire 24 are connected to the contacts 20, 22.
  • the wire 24 is threaded through a toroidal core 26 on which a coil 28 is wound.
  • the coil 28 is connected to a wireline 30 by suitable means.
  • this means includes a 1553 interface 32 and a multi-channel communication circuit 34 powered by a power supply 36 energized from a direct current energy source at the surface, all of which is conventional as known in the art (1553 is a known protocol and others can be used; the use of 1553 in the particular implementation is applied at a relatively slow communication rate to allow less expensive, more readily available, and less power consuming parts to be used).
  • the wireline 30 is also conventional and is used in a known manner to move the wireline tool 8, and thus the components within it, into and out of the well 2.
  • the wireline 30 provides a means for powering the wireline tool 8 from the surface and transmitting data between the surface and the wireline tool.
  • the ends of a wire 38 are connected to the contact receivers 14, 16.
  • the wire 38 is threaded through a toroidal core 40 on which a coil 42 is wound.
  • the coil 42 is connected through a 1553 interface 44 to means for obtaining data from the well 6.
  • This means includes three (but more or less can be used) pressure and temperature sensing and recording circuits 46a, 46b, 46c.
  • Each of these circuits includes pressure and temperature sensors and a memory controller.
  • Each memory controller is a microcomputer-based data acquisition device that can measure time, sample pressure and temperature signals from the sensors, convert the signals to binary values, store the binary values in non-volative memory (e.g., EEPROM), transmit stored data and real time data and receive programming or command information.
  • the coil 42 is also connected to a probe sense circuit 48 which responds to electrical signals sent to the downhole tool 10 through the wireline tool 8.
  • primary power is provided in the downhole tool 10 by a power supply 50 energized by batteries 52.
  • the components 44-52 are conventional as known in the art.
  • the engaged contacts 20, 22 and contact receivers 14, 16 connect the wires 24, 38 to form an electric current conductive single-turn wire loop that links the coils 28, 42 which are inductively coupled to the loop through the cores 26, 40, respectively.
  • This loop conducts current that is induced in response to a time-varying electric current in either of the coils 28, 42. This induced current in turn induces current in the other coil.
  • wireline tool 8 a particular implementation of the wireline tool 8 will be described beginning at the bottom of the tool in FIG. 3G.
  • the wireline tool 8 includes an outer cylindrical case or housing 53.
  • Latching arms 54a, 54b are pivotally connected in the bottom portion of the housing 53.
  • Locking dogs 56a, 56b (FIG. 3F) are mounted on the upper ends of the arms 54a, 54b, respectively.
  • the profile on the outside of each of the dogs complements a latching groove on the inner diameter of the particular downhole tool 10 described hereinbelow.
  • Leaf springs 58a, 58b keep the latching arms 54a, 54b and locking dogs 56a, 56b biased outwardly.
  • a contact arm 60 (FIGS. 3E and 3F) supports the wireline toroidal core 26 and coil 28 subassembly and the two pointed metal contacts 20, 22.
  • the core and coil subassembly is retained in a receptacle 62 near the upper end of the arm 60.
  • the contacts 20, 22 face radially outward from insulative feedthroughs 21, 23, respectively, disposed in the arm 60 to electrically isolate the contacts 20, 22 from, and to pass them through, the wall of the arm 60.
  • Other electrical feedthroughs also such as from Kemlon in Houston, allow connections to be made with the coil 28 (three used for allowing two end connections and one grounded center-tapped connection to be made, but only one, feedthrough 61, is visible in FIG.
  • the arm 60 is pivotally connected at its lower end inside the housing 53 by means of a pivot pin 64 (FIG. 3F) disposed in a block 67 attached to the housing 53.
  • the outward extension of the pointed metal contacts 20, 22 is controlled by a slotted mandrel 68 (FIGS. 3D-3F) slidably disposed in the housing 53.
  • a slotted mandrel 68 (FIGS. 3D-3F) slidably disposed in the housing 53.
  • This portion 69 keeps the latching arms 54a, 54b from retracting.
  • the 3/4'' (19mm) diameter is milled to approximately one-half its width along a portion 70. This provides room for the contact arm 60 when it is retracted and the wireline tool 8 is not latched in the downhole tool 10.
  • the outer diameter of the mandrel 68 is approximately 1-3/4'' (4.45cm).
  • this portion 72 (FIG. 3E)
  • the two j-slots work in conjunction with the two protruding pins (only pin 78 shown in FIG. 3E) on the contact arm 60 to control the position of the contact arm 60.
  • the metering system includes a lower chamber 84 (FIG. 3C), an upper chamber 86 (FIGS. 3A and 3B), a floating piston 88 (FIG. 3C) and a metering cartridge 90 (FIG. 3B).
  • the metering system is preferably filled with silicone oil (e.g., DC 200 from Dow Corning).
  • the inner diameters of the chambers 84, 86 are defined at least in part by a cylindrical member 91 connected at its lower end to the mandrel 68 via a cylindrical coupling 93 (FIGS. 3C and 3D) that supports the piston 88, and at its upper end to an upper piston 92 (FIG. 3A).
  • the floating piston 88 provides a reference of the wireline tool hydrostatic pressure to the lower chamber 84.
  • weight When weight is applied to the wireline tool 8, it acts on the upper piston 92 in the wireline tool 8 and pressure is applied in the upper chamber 86.
  • the pressurized oil in the upper chamber 86 is metered through the metering cartridge 90 having a restrictor valve, such as a Lee Visco Jet manufactured by the Lee Company.
  • a restrictor valve such as a Lee Visco Jet manufactured by the Lee Company.
  • the slotted mandrel 68 slowly moves downwardly.
  • the timing is controlled by the size of the metering jets of the restrictor valve as known in the art.
  • Preferably sizing is such that it requires the application of continuous weight for several minutes in order for the slotted mandrel 68 to move to its downwardmost position.
  • the j-slots 76 in the slot 74 portion of the mandrel 68, and its 3/4'' (19mm) diameter portion 69 are arranged such that during downward movement of the mandrel 68 the latching arms 54a, 54b are first locked into position and then the contact arm 60 with the pointed contacts 20, 22 is extended transversely to the axis of the wireline tool 8 and the length of the well. This insures that the tool 8 is latched in the downhole tool 10 before the contacts 20, 22 establish electrical connection with the downhole tool 10.
  • the metering cartridge 90 has check valves, such as those made by the Lee Company, in parallel with the metering jets and arranged so that high pressure in the lower chamber 84 communicates freely to the upper chamber 86.
  • the mandrel 68 quickly moves up, first retracting the contact arm 60 and then allowing the latching arms 54a, 54b to retract with wireline pull.
  • a continuous rotating j-slot 94 (FIG. 3C) is also in the metering system.
  • the purpose of the j-slot 94 is to selectively block the upward movement of the mandrel 68.
  • the rotating j-slot 94 is constructed such that once the wireline tool 8 is latched and the pointed contacts 20, 22 are in communication with the downhole tool 10, several up - down motions of the wireline 30 are required to retract the contacts 20, 22 and release the tool 8.
  • the j-slot 94 works relative to a pin 95 connected to the housing 53.
  • the rotating j-slot 94 When the tool 8 is released, the rotating j-slot 94 is in its original position and the tool 8 can be reset into the downhole tool 10 if desired. It is also possible to pull the wireline tool 8 to the surface and "park" it in a surface wireline lubricator. A valve on the surface, below the lubricator, can be closed so that the probe is on the surface, inside the lubricator, out of the flow stream, but still ready to go back in the well and latch into the downhole tool without having to rig down the lubricator to reset the probe.
  • the wireline tool 8 can move on the wireline 30 in the well 6 relative to the downhole tool 10, which downhole tool 10 is lowered into and fixed in the well 6 before the wireline tool 8 is used.
  • the wireline tool 8 is latched into a landing receptacle 96 (FIG. 4) of the downhole tool 10 so that the housing 53 of the wireline tool 8 is then fixed relative to the downhole tool 10.
  • a landing receptacle 96 (FIG. 4) of the downhole tool 10 so that the housing 53 of the wireline tool 8 is then fixed relative to the downhole tool 10.
  • It is the landing receptacle portion of the downhole tool 10 which is of particular interest to the preferred embodiment of the present invention because it is this portion that carries the core 40 and coil 42 subassembly and the fluid sealed contact receiving screens 14, 16.
  • a particular implementation of the landing receptacle 96 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
  • the landing receptacle 96 has a body including a cylindrical outer case 98 (FIGS. 4A-4E). At the top of the outer case 98 there is connected an end coupling member 100 (FIG. 4A) which retains an inner structure of the body of the landing receptacle 96.
  • the inner structure of the landing receptacle 96 body includes, from bottom to top, a landing profile member 102 (FIGS. 4C-4E), a support adapter 104 (FIG. 4C), a support 106 (FIG. 4C) supporting a block 108 containing the core 40 and coil 42 subassembly, and a flow port member 110 (FIGS. 4A-4C).
  • the landing profile member 102 has holes 112 (FIG. 4E) near its lower end to allow fluid flow to an annulus 114 between the member 102 and the outer case 98 when the wireline tool 8 is latched in the landing receptacle 96. This latching occurs when the latch dogs 56a, 56b (FIG. 3F) are deployed outwardly into landing profile 116 (FIG. 4D) of the landing profile member 102.
  • the upper end of the landing profile member 102 connects to the lower end of the support adapter 104 (FIG. 4C).
  • the upper end of the adapter 104 connects to the support 106.
  • Connected to the outer surface of the support 106 is a housing 107 to protect the core 40 and coil 42 subassembly housed inside from fluid that flows through the annulus 114.
  • the support 106 has the annular screen 14/seal 18a and screen 16/seal 18b combinations bonded to it adjacent upwardly facing shoulder 120 and downwardly facing shoulder 124, respectively, so that these elements form a unitary structure.
  • the screen 14/seal 18a combination extends axially towards a beveled lower edge 126 of the flow port member 110, and the screen 16/seal 18b combination extends axially towards a beveled upper edge 118 of the adapter 104.
  • the radially inner surface of each annular seal with embedded screen is exposed to an axial opening 122 which extends throughout the inner structure of the landing receptacle 96 and into which the wireline tool 8 is adapted to be moved.
  • the seal members 18a, 18b electrically insulate the screens 14, 16 from the body of the downhole tool 10, and conventional feedthroughs 125, 127 electrically insulate the interconnecting wire 38 from the body of the downhole tool 10.
  • the support 106 is a metallic housing to which two contact rings of copper wire mesh surrounded by silicone rubber are bonded.
  • the rubber completely encapsulates the mesh. It electrically insulates the metallic housing from the mesh contact rings. It also acts as a seal, protecting the mesh from corrosive effects of well bore fluids.
  • at least the inner radial thickness of the rubber should be soft enough to "heal" an opening caused by the contact pins after they are retracted. This should help minimize the exposure of the mesh to well bore fluids and reduce corrosion effects on the mesh.
  • the rubber impregnates the mesh.
  • flat mesh is cut and folded twice into a strip.
  • the open edges of the folds are soldered together, the ends of the strip are soldered together to form a ring and a wire is attached to the ring with solder.
  • Two of these rings and the metallic housing are then molded together with the rubber to make the completed structure.
  • the flow port member 110 is connected between the upper end of the support 106 and the lower end of the end member 100.
  • the flow port member 110 has holes 128 (FIG. 4B) to allow fluid to return to the axial opening 122 from the annulus 114.
  • the primary flow path when the wireline tool 8 is not in the axial opening 122 is indicated in FIGS. 4B-4E by arrows 130, and the primary flow path when the wireline tool 8 is latched in the axial opening 122 is indicated by arrows 132.
  • the remainder of the downhole tool 10 can be conventional.
  • the lower end of the downhole tool 10 is connected to a conventional full flow tester valve.
  • a pressure porting sleeve intermediate the tester valve and the landing receptacle 96 has three holes in its top end to receive the three pressure sensors depicted in FIG. 2.
  • the ports can be used such that the pressure sensors sense the same pressure or any desired combination of formation pressure, wellbore annulus pressure and tubing pressure. Because the frequencies of the output signals from the pressure sensors, which frequencies indicate the sensed pressure, are dependent on temperature, the temperature sensors depicted in FIG. 2 are located with the pressure sensors.
  • a heavy gauge steel pressure tubing (e.g., such as that manufactured by Autoclave Engineers) (not shown) disposed in the annulus 114 protects wires connecting the core 40 and coil 42 subassembly with the downhole electrical circuit from external downhole fluid (the coil 42 has two end connections and a grounded center-tapped connection in the particular implementation).
  • the individual memory controllers (FIG. 2) will record pressure and temperature data by storing encoded signals in non-volatile memory.
  • the wireline tool 8 When data retrieval is desired, the wireline tool 8 is run into the axial opening 122 and latched into the downhole tool 10.
  • the locking dogs 56a, 56b lock into the series of grooves defining the profile 116 on the inner surface of the landing profile member 102 of the landing receptacle 96 (FIG. 4D).
  • the dogs 56a, 56b latch, the two pointed metal contacts 20, 22 are thereby aligned with the sealed contact receivers 14, 16. As previously described, this latching occurs by moving the mandrel 68 downwardly.
  • This downward movement eventually also causes the contacts 20, 22 to be extended from the outer diameter of the wireline tool 8. That is, as the mandrel 68 moves downwardly, the shape of the slot 76 moves the pin 78, and thus the contact arm 60, so that the contacts 20, 22 extend outside the housing 53 as shown in FIG. 3E. In moving to this position, the contacts 20, 22 pierce or puncture the seals 18a, 18b, respectively, and the wire mesh contact receivers 14, 16, respectively, to make direct electric connections between the contacting pair 14, 20 and the contacting pair 16, 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2, this establishes a single turn wire loop linking the toroidal core and coil subassemblies of the wireline tool 8 and downhole tool 10, thus establishing the communication link between the tools.
  • this current conductive link is established radially across the space 12 (FIG. 1) between the tools 8, 10.
  • this link is distinct from any current conductive path in the bodies of the wireline tool 8 and the downhole tool 10 so that the resistance of this link can be sufficiently low that the current conductive path through the link is not effectively short-circuited by fluid in the space 12 crossed by the current conductive path.
  • one or more of the contact/contact receiver pairs can be used. Furthermore, such pair(s) can be used in and with different types of circuits, whether including inductive or direct ohmic continuity.
  • three "switch" commands sent from the surface through the wireline tool 8 tell the downhole tool 10 from which memory controller to retrieve data.
  • the switch commands are received by the downhole 1553 interface 44.
  • the interface 44 selects the designated memory controller.
  • the controller After the 1553 interface 44 starts communicating with a particular controller, the controller starts sending its latest measured pressure and temperature value to the surface.
  • a "dump" command can then be issued from the surface.
  • This operator initiated command instructs the controller to begin sending stored data to the surface. After all stored data is sent, the controller continues by sending the latest measured pressure and temperature value.
  • the controller typically should be able to transmit stored data to the surface much faster than new data is stored. Therefore, several hours worth of stored data should be transmitted to the surface in several minutes. Sending data to the surface does not interfere with the controller's sampling and recording of pressure and temperature.
  • the data transfer rate from the downhole tool 10 up to the surface via the wireline tool 8 will be approximately 75 kilobaud, but the overall operating range for the particular implementation is from about 20 kilobaud to about 200 kilobaud. Other rates can be accommodated by optimizing core size, core material, winding size, and/or number of turns for the desired rate(s).
  • Cores in the illustrated particular implementation are from Magnetics, Inc. Communication is bidirectional.
  • Data is sent to the surface in multiple byte blocks.
  • the checksum of each block is calculated and appended to each block.
  • a surface computer calculates its own checksum of the data block and compares it to the checksum transmitted from the downhole tool. If the two checksums match, nothing happens, the surface computer just waits for the next block of data.
  • the surface computer will automatically issue a "resend" command. This command is received by the controller which is in communication with the surface. The controller must back-up several blocks and resend previous data that was corrupted during its original transmission to the surface.

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Claims (10)

  1. Dispositif pour la communication de signaux électriques dans un puits, ledit dispositif comportant une première bobine électrique (28) destinée à se déplacer dans le puits; une deuxième bobine électrique (42) destinée à être fixée dans le puits par rapport au déplacement de ladite première bobine électrique dans le puits; un moyen conducteur de courant dans lequel un courant électrique sera induit en réponse à un courant électrique dans une bobine sélectionnée parmi lesdites première (28) et deuxième (42) bobines électriques, et qui induira un courant électrique dans l'autre desdites première et deuxième bobines électriques en réponse au courant électrique induit dans ledit moyen conducteur de courant, ledit moyen conducteur de courant comportant : un premier chemin électriquement conducteur (24) relié à ladite première bobine électrique (28); un deuxième chemin électriquement conducteur (38) relié à ladite deuxième bobine électrique (42), dans lequel lesdits chemins électriquement conducteurs sont réalisés par des conducteurs de courant électrique discrets; et un moyen (20, 22, 14, 16) pour raccorder lesdits premier et deuxième chemins dans le puits de sorte qu'une boucle discrète conductrice de courant électrique relie lesdites première et deuxième bobines électriques (28, 42), caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de raccordement (20, 22, 14, 16) comporte des broches électriques (20, 22) destinées à contacter des raccords receveurs (14, 16).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, comportant en outre un logement de réception (96) sur lequel est montée ladite deuxième bobine électrique (42), ledit logement de réception présentant une ouverture axiale (122); et un outil de ligne filaire (8) sur lequel est montée ladite première bobine électrique (28), ledit outil de ligne filaire comportant un moyen (32, 34) pour raccorder ladite première bobine électrique à une ligne filaire (30), et ledit outil de ligne filaire étant destiné à se déplacer sur la ligne filaire dans l'ouverture axiale dudit logement de réception.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel lesdits raccords receveurs comprennent un premier élément à treillis métallique (14) raccordé à une extrémité dudit deuxième conducteur électrique (38) et un deuxième élément à treillis métallique (16) raccordé à l'autre extrémité dudit deuxième conducteur électrique (38); ledit moyen de raccordement comporte en outre un moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) pour faire étanchéité rendant imperméable à des fluides lesdits premier et deuxième éléments à treillis métallique sur ledit logement de réception (96); et lesdites broches électriques (20, 22) sont raccordées audit premier conducteur électrique (24), pour pénétrer ledit moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) et contacter électriquement lesdits premier (14) et deuxième (16) éléments à treillis métallique.
  4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lesdites broches électriques incluent une première broche (20) raccordée à une extrémité dudit premier conducteur électrique (24), et une deuxième broche (22), raccordée à l'autre extrémité dudit premier conducteur électrique (24).
  5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ledit moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) inclue une membrane auto-obturante pour maintenir une étanchéité après pénétration par au moins une desdites première et deuxième broches (20, 22).
  6. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits raccords receveurs comportent un premier élément à treillis métallique (14) raccordé à une extrémité dudit deuxième conducteur électrique (38) et un deuxième élément à treillis métallique (16) raccordé à l'autre extrémité dudit deuxième conducteur électrique (38); ledit moyen de raccordement comporte en outre un moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) pour faire étanchéité rendant imperméable à des fluides lesdits premier et deuxième éléments à treillis métallique par rapport à des fluides dans le puits; et lesdites broches électriques (20, 22) sont raccordées audit premier conducteur électrique (24), pour pénétrer ledit moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) et contacter électriquement lesdits premier (14) et deuxième (16) éléments à treillis métallique.
  7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, dans lequel lesdites broches électriques incluent une première broche (20), raccordée à une extrémité dudit premier conducteur électrique (24), et une deuxième broche (22), raccordée à l'autre extrémité dudit premier conducteur électrique (24).
  8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ledit moyen d'étanchéité (18a, 18b) inclue une membrane auto-obturante pour maintenir une étanchéité après pénétration par au moins une desdites première et deuxième broches (20, 22).
  9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel ladite boucle conductrice s'étend radialement entre lesdites première (28) et deuxième (42) bobines électriques en réponse au raccordement par ledit moyen de raccordement (20, 22, 14, 16) desdits premier (24) et deuxième (38) conducteurs électriques.
  10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel ladite première bobine est dans un outil de ligne filaire, et ladite deuxième bobine est dans un outil de fond.
EP92311186A 1991-12-10 1992-12-08 Dispositif de communication des signaux électriques dans un puits Expired - Lifetime EP0546805B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US807027 1991-12-10
US07/807,027 US5236048A (en) 1991-12-10 1991-12-10 Apparatus and method for communicating electrical signals in a well, including electrical coupling for electric circuits therein

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EP0546805A1 EP0546805A1 (fr) 1993-06-16
EP0546805B1 true EP0546805B1 (fr) 1996-10-02

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EP (1) EP0546805B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2085028A1 (fr)
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69214263T2 (de) 1997-02-06
EP0546805A1 (fr) 1993-06-16
CA2085028A1 (fr) 1993-06-11
DE69214263D1 (de) 1996-11-07
US5236048A (en) 1993-08-17

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